Adam Schefter, ESPN Senior Writer January 6, 2024, 7:56 a.m. ET
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- Joined ESPN in 2009
- Former president of the Pro Football Writers of America and author of four books
New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick and team owner Robert Kraft are expected to meet soon to discuss their future. Although many around the league are expecting a move in New England, the teams apparently have not discussed parting ways at any point this season, sources told ESPN.
Belichick's future in New England is one of several unresolved coaching situations facing teams heading into the final week of the regular season:
• NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: That's not what Kraft has said throughout the season. It's what he didn't say.
Kraft has not publicly stated that Belichick will be his coach going forward and that he will return next season – nothing like that. Everyone in the NFL is waiting for a divorce, but neither Kraft nor Belichick have admitted that the relationship could be called off.
For many around the league, it feels like the end of an era – that Belichick could be coaching his final game for the Patriots in Sunday's home game against the New York Jets.
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What a run it was for Kraft, Belichick and the Patriots organization as a whole – historic, legendary, incredible. Several signs suggest this will be the end for the six-time Super Bowl-winning coach, but there has been nothing from either side.
It's uncertain how this will play out and when an official decision will be made, other than few expect Belichick to be fired. He has accomplished too much to suffer such a fate, and there are further questions about how and when Kraft and Belichick would part ways if they actually decided to do so.
Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen said, “I wanted my team back” when he fired longtime coach Dan Reeves after the 1992 season. Many people around the league say Kraft wants his team back now, and if they part ways, Belichick would immediately become one of the best head coaches available.
It's hard to imagine Belichick not wanting to continue coaching. He is a footballer and his job is coaching. If he isn't wanted in New England, as many suspect, Belichick will soon be interviewing for a head coaching position elsewhere.
• TENNESSEE TITANS: Although there is speculation that the Titans will not see any significant changes this offseason, it is expected that there will be organizational meetings between coach Mike Vrabel and the team's decision-makers to determine if any significant changes will be made. league sources told ESPN.
There are people around the league who believe that either Vrabel would be willing to move to another team or that the Titans would be willing to move him – perhaps both.
Vrabel has publicly stated that he wants to stay in Tennessee, but others questioned how happy he was.
Until there is more information that there will be no changes, it is possible that there will be some to the Titans organization. Meetings likely to take place this week will help determine the direction Vrabel and the Titans go, but the Tennessee situation is not clear at this time, according to sources.
• WASHINGTON COMMANDERS: Ron Rivera turns 62 on Sunday, and the organization would be wise to respect their coach's birthday.
However, according to league sources, changes are expected in Washington sometime early next week, which surprises no one.
New owner Josh Harris is expected to make a fresh start after paying $6.05 billion for the franchise last summer. Washington is expected to launch a thorough and comprehensive search to find the right people to help restore a franchise that has been among the worst in the NFL over the past two-plus decades.
Harris won't be expected to spare any expense in getting the right people in place to help move this franchise forward.
Additionally, should the Commanders lose on Sunday to the Dallas Cowboys, they would secure the No. 2 overall pick and the opportunity to sign one of the top two quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft – just another element that could give Washington this job would make it much more attractive for candidates.
• DALLAS COWBOYS: There is still a feeling around the league and even among some within the Cowboys organization that coach Mike McCarthy will be judged by how Dallas' final game goes.
If the Cowboys play well in the postseason, McCarthy would have an excellent chance of keeping his job. But if they struggle and end the season with an embarrassing loss, as has happened each of the last two years, then some believe change could be coming in Dallas.
The situation remains unsettled either way, and both the Cowboys and McCarthy — fairly or unfairly — have a lot to prove Sunday against Washington and then in the postseason.
The other factor is what the Cowboys will do with defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, who has interviewed and been offered head coaching jobs each of the last two offseasons. Quinn stayed with Dallas out of loyalty because he cares about the organization.
However, there are questions about how long this will last and whether Dallas could get him back for another season, which could play a role in any decisions this team makes. According to sources, the Cowboys don't want to lose Quinn, and there are questions about what Dallas would be willing to do to keep him.
• ATLANTA FALCONS: Falcons owner Arthur Blank knows and has admitted he has a tough decision to make about whether to make significant organizational changes.
According to sources, Blank was said to be pacing and tearing up. He's a fan of coach Arthur Smith, one of the smartest offensive minds in the game, but that may not be enough to withstand Atlanta.
According to league sources, the Falcons have been studying the coaching landscape and considering what their options are should they decide to make a move.
This is a team built with talent in many places except at quarterback. And the lack of stability at quarterback could impact whether there is stability in the rest of the organization.
• CAROLINA PANTERS: Panthers owner David Tepper has already fired head coach Frank Reich and several of his assistant coaches. According to league sources, many now expect general manager Scott Fitterer to be next.
Tepper has hired a staffing company to help him position his franchise for the future. Should he fire Fitterer, Tepper would have free rein to offer a future head coach and GM, although sources say Panthers assistant GM Dan Morgan also has support within the organization.
Whoever takes over, this team has issues it needs to overcome. Carolina traded its 2024 first-round draft pick last year – which became the No. 1 overall pick – to the Chicago Bears in order to sign Bryce Young, who had a difficult rookie season.
The Panthers lack other offensive playmakers and have a shaky offensive line that they need to repair and rebuild. Tepper is ready and willing to spend money, but there are major gaps and concerns that need to be addressed.
• NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: The Saints have assembled a team they believe is strong enough to win the NFC South, and a source says signs point to head coach Dennis Allen being safe.
But if they don't win the division on Sunday, the organization's decision-makers will sit down and think about how they can get this team to where they think it belongs.
• LAS VEGAS RAIDERS: Pro Bowl defensive lineman Maxx Crosby spoke out this week, saying he wants Antonio Pierce to remain as the Raiders' head coach. Pro Bowl wide receiver Davante Adams said the same thing, adding that every player on the team wanted Pierce to return.
Raiders owner Mark Davis is said to be a big fan of Pierce – and he should be. The question will be whether there is another candidate like Michigan's Jim Harbaugh who will entice Davis enough to bypass Pierce.
Even if they wanted to sign Pierce, the Raiders would still be required by NFL rules to conduct a full search and go through the entire process, which would be tantamount to complying with the Rooney Rule.
At a team meeting this week, Raiders coaches and staff were told that they would not be prevented from looking for other jobs, but that the organization wanted to be kept informed of potential opportunities, league sources said.
According to sources, some suggested that this meant that Pierce and GM Champ Kelly were not suspended to remove their interim tags. If it were a lock, the Raiders would want Pierce and Kelly to retain many of their assistants, the same ones who now have permission to seek employment elsewhere.
Still, Pierce and Kelly have done enough to prove that they should seriously consider working full-time in their current jobs. The question is whether Davis will agree.
The last time he had a successful interim coach, Davis made a change. Despite the fact that Raiders players wanted Davis to keep then-interim coach Rich Bisaccia and make him full-time, Davis decided to hire Josh McDaniels as his head coach and Dave Ziegler as his GM in 2022 – only to have them hired on the eve of Halloween to dismiss this season.
Davis doesn't care about the money he owes Jon Gruden, McDaniels and Ziegler or what it would take to lure another head coach and GM. He just wants to hit and help this organization win. Not that Davis doesn't go through a thorough interview process, but Pierce and Kelly already have more than enough supporters. They still need the approval of their biggest supporter, Davis, to make their hiring official.
• LOS ANGELES CHARGERS: After already firing coach Brandon Staley and GM Tom Telesco, Chargers president of football operations John Spanos is leading the search for the team's next head coach and GM.
The big established names – Belichick and Harbaugh – make the most sense for what this organization may need, but the Chargers are casting a wide net, are exhaustive in their search and are not believed to have any favorites for the job Wait, according to league sources.
The Chargers can offer elements no other team can: They play in Los Angeles, are opening a new quarter-billion-dollar training facility by the summer and have one of the game's best young quarterbacks in Justin Herbert. However, it is imperative for the Chargers to find Herbert a coach who can allow him to reach his potential.
• CHICAGO BEARS: There has been no official statement from owner or team president Kevin Warren, but league sources say there are signs that head coach Matt Eberflus will return for another season, although there was speculation about his future earlier this season .
The Bears have recently won, played inspired football and have more draft capital than any other team in the league. You have experienced enough changes in the past that you now want to try to remain stable.
• DENVER BRONCOS: Head coach Sean Payton made his mark on the Broncos organization by parting ways with some veteran players this season and benching Russell Wilson late in the season.
Some around the league believe a decision has yet to be made about the future of GM George Paton, who was considered one of the league's best evaluators and commanded league-wide respect before taking over in Denver.
Payton and Paton have worked well together this season and Payton is known to respect Paton and his abilities. However, Payton is expected to have the final say; It's his organization and he can shape it the way he wants.
• TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: The Buccaneers are one win away from winning the NFC South, but should they stumble and lose their second straight game, there are those around the league who believe some difficult decisions will be made regarding their coaching staff could queue.
A win on Sunday against the last-place Panthers would likely settle that, but a loss would raise speculation considering the Buccaneers finished their season with two straight losses – one at home in a poor performance against the Saints, the next on the road in what will likely be a quiet, empty stadium in Carolina.